New Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro is set to make his Major League Soccer debut against CF Montreal on Saturday night after obtaining his P-1 Visa.
Inter Miami has brought Casemiro on board as a free agent until the end of the 2027 MLS Sprint season, with an option to extend his contract through June 2029. The midfielder declared his intention to leave Manchester United once his contract with the Premier League team ended on June 30.
Casemiro chose to join Inter Miami over other teams in MLS.
“What drives me the most, and I believe is true for all players, is the desire to win and to keep improving. The vision the Club shared with me, along with the dedication of everyone involved in bringing me here, means a lot,” Casemiro expressed in a statement to club media.
“I am extremely thankful, and I am eager to begin so I can repay that trust—not just during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. I can only say thank you, and I’ll give everything to honor the affection and trust the Club has shown me.”
Notably, Casemiro will not occupy a designated player (DP) spot on the roster. Currently, Inter Miami’s designated players include Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and Germán Berterame.
MLS has announced an investigation into a tampering allegation against Inter Miami concerning the signing of Casemiro.
Sources indicated to ESPN that the LA Galaxy filed a tampering complaint against Inter Miami, claiming that they communicated with Casemiro without first securing the player’s Discovery Priority.
“I want to clarify my position regarding this situation,” Casemiro stated on Wednesday.
“I had discussions with the Galaxy some time ago and made it clear that I wanted to join Miami. It’s a city I love, where my wife and kids enjoy spending time during our days off. We are fond of this place.”
“When I spoke to them [the Galaxy], I was explicit about my preference for Inter Miami, driven by the club’s project, the hope it offers, and of course, the chance to play alongside the greatest player of all time. That truly excites me.”
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“I want to express my gratitude to Inter Miami for their efforts. This is the only MLS team I ever wanted to be a part of.”
Although Inter Miami and the Galaxy have reached a settlement regarding Casemiro’s Discovery Priority, the league will continue its investigation into the matter.